Why do we ..... during the Service?

[seeking_perfection]

I was having a discussion with a non-churchgoing family member last night about how most of a church service was a waste of time and made no sense. Needless to say I disagreed but I think we came to somewhat of a compromise by agreeing that when someone has no idea why anything is happening, it can be very off-putting.

I think that, with the increase in people who were not brought up in church and never go, it is often the case that visitors don't have a clue what's happening.

I was wondering if we could nail some things down so that when I next get asked this, I might be able to give better answers.

Starting at the beginning of the service, we have a self-explanatory opening prayer, followed by a hymn and a procession. So first question, why do we process (at the start of the service)? What is the reason, what is the symbolism?

 

[Sean611]

Good questions! I found this site to helpfully explain why we do some of the things we do:

Why do we do that?

Here is an excerpt on why we have a procession:

Why do we carry a cross on a pole in processions?

"For about a century the early church did not use the cross as a symbol at all; it was simply too painfully fresh in memory. After people no longer remembered what a crucifixion was really like, the cross became an important Christian symbol that was scratched into lintel posts, carved in standing stones, and even cast in metal and adorned with jewels for placing over doorways as a house blessing (like the Jewish mezzuzah on doorposts) and worn about the neck or carried in the hand of the clergy. But it was not placed on the altar because nothing except the bread and wine was ever to be placed on the altar. In some places, however, a cross was placed on a staff or stand behind the altar during services, and this was often carried in ceremonially at the start of the service in part because it could not be left in the open church. The image of “following the cross” appealed to people, and from the sixth century on there were many festive outdoor processions, usually involving the whole congregation, and headed by a cross flanked by torches or candles. These were normally ways to get from a gathering place to the church where the Eucharist was to be celebrated. Usually Psalms were sung in procession, or metrical hymns, many of which were specifically written for processions (like “All glory, laud and honor”, Hymn 154, for the Palm Sunday procession.) Sometimes prayers, like the Great Litany, were also sung in procession. During the 18th century processions mostly died out in the Episcopal church but they were revived by the Oxford movement in the next century, along with choirs in cassocks and cottas following the cross and candles. Though some extreme evangelicals were infuriated by these processions, most Anglicans have agreed that although the procession doesn’t have a very profound theological reason for being, it is simply too attractive to pass up. "

 

[seeking_perfection]

Hi Sean.

That link is great, thank you very much!

 

[christianmom2389]

Yes, thank you for sharing the link! Very informative!

 

[Anna Scott]

Good questions! I found this site to helpfully explain why we do some of the things we do:

Why do we do that?

Here is an excerpt on why we have a procession:

Why do we carry a cross on a pole in processions?

"For about a century the early church did not use the cross as a symbol at all; it was simply too painfully fresh in memory. After people no longer remembered what a crucifixion was really like, the cross became an important Christian symbol that was scratched into lintel posts, carved in standing stones, and even cast in metal and adorned with jewels for placing over doorways as a house blessing (like the Jewish mezzuzah on doorposts) and worn about the neck or carried in the hand of the clergy. But it was not placed on the altar because nothing except the bread and wine was ever to be placed on the altar. In some places, however, a cross was placed on a staff or stand behind the altar during services, and this was often carried in ceremonially at the start of the service in part because it could not be left in the open church. The image of “following the cross” appealed to people, and from the sixth century on there were many festive outdoor processions, usually involving the whole congregation, and headed by a cross flanked by torches or candles. These were normally ways to get from a gathering place to the church where the Eucharist was to be celebrated. Usually Psalms were sung in procession, or metrical hymns, many of which were specifically written for processions (like “All glory, laud and honor”, Hymn 154, for the Palm Sunday procession.) Sometimes prayers, like the Great Litany, were also sung in procession. During the 18th century processions mostly died out in the Episcopal church but they were revived by the Oxford movement in the next century, along with choirs in cassocks and cottas following the cross and candles. Though some extreme evangelicals were infuriated by these processions, most Anglicans have agreed that although the procession doesn’t have a very profound theological reason for being, it is simply too attractive to pass up. "

Thanks Sean! I'm still looking up things myself.

Anna

 

[seeking.IAM]

I have heard a different historical basis for the procession, one that appeals to me. I have heard that the procession dates to the time when Christians were persecuted, took to the catacombs, and worshiped in secret. For this reason, I am moved during the procession whenever I see the Deacon carrying in the Gospel high and lifted up.

As I heard it, (from my foray into Eastern Orthodoxy) symbols of religion were not brought into the room until the people had assembled, they were certain that those assembled were like-minded and not threats, and the doors were secured. Only then was it safe to bring in anything that might betray the gathering as a religions rite. In the Divine Liturgy of Eastern Orthodox, there are two points in the liturgy that point back to this historical basis. One occurs with the proclamation of "The Doors! The Doors!" and the other when Catechumens are told to depart before the Eucharist...again so only the bonafide, chrismated believers will be present.

Perhaps an Eastern Orthodox scholar will be along shortly to comment on this historical basis and how closely I came to getting it right.